Biology
Explore biology in its widest sense with a degree that combines hands-on learning through lab work and field trips with theory.
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Key Course Details
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UCAS Code
C100
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Start Date
September
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Location
Pontypridd
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Campus Code
A
Fees
Home students
£9,535*
International students
£16,200*
- Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.
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UCAS Code
C104
-
Start Date
September
-
Location
Pontypridd
-
Campus Code
A
Fees
Home students
£9,535*
International students
£16,200*
- Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.
Explore this foundational science in-depth, discovering the evolutionary, physiological, molecular, and ecological processes driving all life on Earth. Combining outstanding field work opportunities with cutting-edge facilities, you’ll go broad, then choose to specialise in this well-rounded degree.
DESIGNED FOR
Choose BSc (Hons) Biology for a holistic approach to the field of biology combining theory and practice. A broad biology course gives you the opportunity to fully explore the subject, find your passion, and opens opportunities for a range of possible careers.
Accredited By
- Royal Society of Biology
Career Paths
- MSc/PhD researcher
- Environmental consultant
- Laboratory analyst
- Science teacher
Skills Taught
- Critical analysis and problem solving
- Scientific communication
- Project management
- Inclusivity and teamwork
Course Highlights
Module Overview
Our BSc (Hons) Biology curriculum emphasises connectivity of life across all levels of biological complexity. The course fosters intellectual curiosity, academic integrity, and critical thinking, and will prepare you well for progression into graduate employment or further study.
Year One
Skills and Professional Development 1*
Genetics and Evolution
Diversity of Cellular Life
Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry
Biodiversity
Principles of Ecology
Year Two
Skills and Professional Development 2*
Evolutionary Biology Seminar
Human Molecular Genetics
Comparative Vertebrate Zoology
Behavioural Ecology
Applied Tropical Conservation
The Invisible World
Professional Practice and Placement
Year Three
Research Project and Career Development*
Humans and Other Primates
Human Variation
Global Health Challenges
Global Ecological Challenges
Aquatic Biology
Functional Ecology
Regenerative Medicine
*These modules can be studied 100% through the medium of Welsh
Year One lays the foundation for further study. A “Key Skills” module provides a background in scientific research, while all other modules begin your journey across various levels of biological complexity.
Skills and Professional Development 1*
An introduction to scientific reading and writing skills, referencing, critical analysis of published work, and statistical principles.
Genetics and Evolution
Study principles of genetics and evolutionary theory. Understand molecular genetics, including structure and organisation of DNA and DNA replication, and factors driving evolution.
Diversity of Cellular Life
Explore how different cellular components in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms contribute to function. Learn basic microbiology lab techniques.
*This module can be studied 100% through the medium of Welsh
Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry
Get to grips with organisational structures and functions of the human body and biochemical principles underlying chemical processes in biological systems.
Biodiversity
Learn the principles and methodologies of taxonomy and classification of living organisms. Apply theory to field and lab work, developing your practical skills.
Principles of Ecology
Study ecological theory; through lecture, field and practical lab work, identify and critically evaluate ecological hierarchy, processes, cycles and successions.
Year Two advances concepts introduced in Year One and provides more opportunity for applying your knowledge. Students have a choice of modules to allow for either a field or laboratory emphasis in Year Two.
Skills and Professional Development 2*
Build your competency in data acquisition, manipulation and science communication using statistical analysis, bioinformatics, cartography and spatial analysis.
Evolutionary Biology Seminar
Explore the history, development and controversies within evolutionary theory. This module is student-driven and discursive, allowing you to engage deeply.
Human Molecular Genetics
Cover molecular genetics and genetic basis of inherited disorders. Learn theoretical and practical applications of key molecular biology techniques and their use.
Comparative Vertebrate Zoology
Combining Earth history with anatomical form and physiological function, you’ll study the evolution of the vertebrate classes and their comparative lifestyles.
*This module can be studied 100% through the medium of Welsh
Behavioural Ecology
Develop a grounding in behavioural ecology and use theoretical frameworks to understand the interaction between behaviour, ecology and evolution.
Applied Tropical Conservation
On an international residential trip, combine theory, case studies and fieldwork in tropical landscapes to explore ecology and conservation. (Optional. Additional cost).
The Invisible World
Gain technical lab experience in a range of microscopy techniques for analysing biological and geological materials, considering factors affecting sample preservation and quality.
Professional Practice and Placement
An optional opportunity to work with an employer or on a simulated employer placement. You could be offered a placement or arrange one yourself.
Follow your own interests with a self-directed dissertation, investigating a subject you’re intrigued by. In this final year, you can choose from a range of optional modules depending on what you enjoy and your career plans.
Research Project and Career Development*
Culminating in presenting at a conference, learn project planning, research and professional skills through your research project.
Humans and Other Primates
Consider what it is to be human; critically analyse conflicting theories in palaeoanthropology, behavioural ecology, and evolutionary theory.
Human Variation
Study human biological variation inc. evolutionary foundations. Cover historical views including “race” science and biological determinism, contrasting with contemporary approaches.
Global Health Challenges
Explore inequality’s impact on health and wellbeing. Biological, environmental, economic, and political factors as drivers of public health inequality.
*This module can be studied 100% through the medium of Welsh
Global Ecological Challenges
Apply your scientific knowledge and skills to the interpretation of ecological responses to anthropogenic impacts, including climate change, land and sea use change.
Aquatic Biology
Build detailed knowledge of aquatic ecosystems, their ecological systems and processes, the physiology and behaviour of their plants and animals that inhabit them.
Functional Ecology
Combining evolutionary biology, genetics, evolutionary and traditional ecology, consider animal and plant strategies for acquiring resources, growing, surviving, and reproducing.
Regenerative Medicine
Apply genetic and tissue engineering approaches for medical application and drug discovery and learn how novel approaches to diagnosis and treatment can manage human diseases.
Course Highlights
How you’ll learn
You’ll learn through group activities, lectures, laboratory sessions, tutorials, directed learning, online activities, and both UK and overseas field trips. The number of contact hours per week will vary, but on average you can expect 10-12 contact hours a week. You will also need to spend a significant amount of time each week on preparation for classes, background reading, revision, or working on assignments.
In your second year, there’s an optional overseas field trip, Applied Tropical Conservation, which gives students the opportunity to learn to scuba dive and develop their knowledge of terrestrial and marine tropical ecosystems.
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Teaching staff
We are an active research team, contributing to two main research themes: Genetic and Molecular Research and Wildlife Ecology. Not only do researchers bring their knowledge and passion into their classroom teaching, but students have the opportunity to work on real, current problems with active research scientists in their final year project.
Our lecturers are subject experts, who teach in their specialist area across a number of modules and courses. We organise the Biology Speakers Series, bringing a variety of external speakers to highlight the breadth of possible career pathways.
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Placements and work experience
You’ll have the opportunity to take part in an optional Professional Practice and Placement module, providing you with either work experience with an employer or on a simulated employer placement. You can either work at an organisation in their place of work or do a simulated placement by working on a live project or brief online.
We will support you with looking for placement opportunities, but you’ll also need to put time and energy into finding them. This process is supported by our professional services team.
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Facilities
Our George Knox laboratories are part of a £15m investment, meaning you will be taught in new and well-equipped spaces. You will benefit from several well-equipped laboratories and rooms for practical and project work, including:
- Microbiology laboratory capable of handling pathogens (category 2)
- Molecular biology laboratory for DNA isolation and analysis
- Projection microscopes in the microbiology and microscopy laboratories for group teaching
- General biology laboratories for teaching, including a range of skeletons for vertebrate zoology
- Computer rooms with specialist GIS software to support your learning
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Why USW?
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Why USW?
Biology
at USW is top in Wales for Student Satisfaction. (National Student Survey 2024)
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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
UCAS points: 96 (or above)
Typical qualification requirements:
- A Level: CCC to include Biology but to exclude General Studies
- Welsh BACC: Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales Grade C and CC at A Level to include Biology but to exclude General Studies
- Science Requirement: Applicants taking Science A levels in England will need to pass the practical element alongside achieving the requested grade(s)
- BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma Merit Merit Merit in a relevant subject which must include Biology modules
- Access to HE: Pass an Access to HE Diploma in Science and obtain a minimum of 96 UCAS tariff points.
- T Level: P
Additional requirements include:
The University normally requires a minimum 5 GCSEs including Mathematics and English at Grade C/Grade 4 or above, or their equivalent but consideration is given to individual circumstances
International applications welcomed:
We welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications of our entry requirements. For more details related to your country of residence, please view our dedicated country pages.
English language requirements
International applicants will need to have achieved an overall of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component/TOEFL 72 overall and a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing or equivalent.
Equivalents can be located on our English Language pages.
If you have previously studied through the medium of English, IELTS might not be required, please visit our country specific page for further details. If your country is not featured, please contact us.
If you do not meet the English entry criteria, please visit our Pre-Sessional course pages.
Contextual offers
We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (where you live and the school or college that you attended, for example), your experiences and individual circumstances (as a care leaver, for example). This is referred to as a contextual offer, and we receive data from UCAS to support us in making these decisions.
USW prides itself on its student experience and we support our students to achieve their goals and become a successful graduate. This approach helps us to support students who have the potential to succeed and who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university.
We're here to help
Whether you a have a question about your course, fees and funding, the application process or anything else, there are plenty of ways you can get in touch, and we'd love to talk to you. You can contact our friendly admissions team by phone, email or chat to us online.
Fees and Funding
£9,535
per year*£16,200
per year*£16,200
per year*Additional Costs
As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.
*Obligatory
Airfare for residential field course associated with the optional module “Applied Tropical Conservation”. This cost is an estimate, as it varies by destination and booking date
Cost: £1300
International, residential field course associated with the optional module “Applied Tropical Conservation”.
Cost: £1500
Diver training course associated with the optional module “Applied Tropical Conservation”.
Cost: £350
Students who successfully secure a placement in industry to complete their project would be expected to pay their own travel costs to and from the venue during the period of placement. The cost of this will of course vary and some students have also paid for accommodation close to their place of work for the duration of their placement.
Cost: Variable
Please note that students who successfully secure a placement in industry or abroad to complete their projects would be expected to pay their own travelling costs to and from the venue during the period of placement. The cost of this will of course vary and some students have also paid for accommodation close to their place of work for the duration of their placement.
Cost: Variable
University Quality Assurance
At USW, we regularly review our courses in response to changing patterns of employment and skills demand to ensure we offer learning designed to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.
If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we’ll write to inform you and talk you through the changes for the coming year. But whatever the outcome, we aim to equip our students with the skillset and the mindset to succeed whatever tomorrow may bring. Your future, future-proofed.
Life at USW
Halls are a big part of your student experience and there’s accommodation at all three of our locations. If you don’t want to live near the campus, there are great transport links to keep you connected.
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How to apply
All applications for full-time undergraduate courses or foundation degrees should be made via UCAS. Take the next step: Apply through UCAS. You can apply to us directly for all part-time undergraduate courses, if you’re seeking advanced entry or you’re an international student. To apply directly, please choose the application form below for your preferred start date and mode of study (full-time or part-time.)
Advanced entry
If you already have a relevant qualification or experience related to the course you're applying for, you may be eligible to start at a later stage of the course. For example, students from partner colleges can ‘top up’ their qualifications to a degree by joining us in Year Two or Year Three of a course. This process is known as ‘advanced entry’, you can apply directly to the University for 'advanced entry' using the application forms provided above.
International admissions
International applicants can apply to us directly. If the University has an in-country team in your region, your application will be assigned to them for assistance.
